Middlesbrough are in action again this afternoon in their fourth friendly of the summer as Garry Monk takes his side to Rochdale (3pm kick-off).

Boro remain unbeaten in pre-season so far and head to Spotland on the back of a battling 2-2 draw with Mansfield Town on Wednesday evening.

A handful of first-team players - including Daniel Ayala, Ben Gibson and Adam Clayton - were left out of the midweek squad so are set to feature this afternoon, as Monk looks to give everyone the chance to get 90 minutes under their belt.

New signings Connor Roberts, Martin Braithwaite and £15m striker Britt Assombalonga are all expected to feature against League One Dale, who have a familiar face, ex-Academy product Mark Kitching, in their ranks.

You can follow all the action from Boro's latest UK outing right here, as we continue to look ahead to the Championship opener against Wolves in two weeks' time.

So much pace in that final third

Boro have started the second half nicely, with George Friend heavily involved down that left-hand side.

Daniel Ayala continues to marshal the back-line alongside understudy Dael Fry, while Marten de Roon and Adam Clayton are busy away in the centre of midfield.

16:02KEY EVENT

Friend & Assombalonga ON at half-time

There’s your confirmation!

George Friend has the skipper’s armband on, replacing Fabio at the break, while Britt Assombalonga is on for Rudy Gestede.

Here we go then. Let’s ‘ave it, Britt!! Here’s a few goals he scored at Nottingham Forest over the last couple of years. Deadly.

15:59Jonathon Taylor

Set to come on shortly

Britt Assombalonga is set to begin his Boro adventure. He’s been warming up alongside George Friend at the break.

Wouldn’t be surprised if they both come on at half-time, or very shortly after the restart.

Still awaiting the rest of the players to emerge.

George Friend & Britt Assombalonga

15:48Jonathon Taylor

Half time: Rochdale 0 Boro 0

And the referee has seen enough in that first half!

Fair play to Rochdale, they’ve been very good and have tested Boro here - with Ben Gibson in particular knowing he’s been in a battle. The Boro defender was forced off following an aerial duel early on with what looked like a broken nose.

Adama Traore battles with Rochdale's Jamie Allen (Image: CameraSport)

In terms of chances, Adam Clayton produced a lovely teasing delivery from a free-kick which just evaded anyone in a red shirt, while Martin Braithwaite - the new boy - saw a low curling effort saved at the end of the half.

The standouts? Marcus Tavernier has been excellent on that left wing, and 21-year-old Connor Roberts has been tidy at right-back.

15:45Jonathon Taylor

Written in the stars?

Former Boro Academy lad Mark Kitching tees up a shot from 25 yards...

Harmlessly over the bar. As you were.

15:43Jonathon Taylor

Braithwaite tests the keeper

A first real shot for Boro new boy Martin Braithwaite, and it came from a break down the left from Fabio.

The Brazilian got beyond his man, crossed for Rudy Gestede but the ball was nodded back out - and Braithwaite then curled a low shot towards the far corner which was saved by the Rochdale keeper.

Good vision by de Roon to free Fabio, there.

15:42Jonathon Taylor

Excellent covering from Ayala

In terms of chances, there’s been very few - a couple of long-range efforts from Rochdale, while Adam Clayton’s teasing free-kick earlier on probably brought Boro’s best opportunity.

Henderson continues to give Boro’s back-line a testing afternoon, and after de Roon was beaten to a midfield 50/50, the ball was slid through for the Rochdale front man - but Ayala was on hand to read the danger.

Ayala & Fry have a battle on their hands, but have stood firm so far. Roberts & Fabio have looked solid, too.

Fabio da Silva battles for the ball (Image: CameraSport)

15:35Jonathon Taylor

The reason for Gibbo's early exit

No sign of him back on the Boro bench, quite yet.

No doubt he’ll be trying to sew his nose back on his face, after big Ian Henderson’s robust aerial challenge.

Ben Gibson leaves the field with an injury (Image: CameraSport)

15:29Jonathon Taylor

'Rochdale haven't given Boro a moment's peace'

The thoughts of Mr Tallentire, with 26 minutes on the clock.

“Fair play to Rochdale, they haven’t given Boro a moment’s peace since kick-off.

“They tackled and harried and starved Garry Monk’s men of space to create, hence a lack of attempts on goal.

“As the home players start to tire, Boro will surely start to dominate, but so far it’s been a tight contest with virtually zero goalmouth action.

“Martin Braithwaite has yet to have an opportunity to show what he can do though Connor Roberts has made a couple of timely challenges.

“Losing Ben Gibson after a quarter of an hour due to a nasty nose injury hasn’t helped Boro’s cause.”

15:25Jonathon Taylor

A bright spark on the left

Marcus Tavernier, the 18-year-old Academy lad, has really caught the eye on the left wing so far.

It’s him and Connor Roberts, the debutant right-back, who’ve been Boro’s standout performers early on here.

Meanwhile Braithwaite picks up the loose ball from 25 yards and shows his pace to get to the by-line, but his cross from the right is plucked out of the air by Rochdale keeper Josh Lillis.

Boro U23 winger Marcus Tavernier (right)

15:21Jonathon Taylor

A free-kick for Boro in a dangerous position

Youngster Marcus Tavernier is on the end of a nasty challenge there just outside of the box, and it was Rochdale’s Reece Brown who was the guilty party.

Some smart footwork from Tavernier as he quickly cut onto his right foot, and is unceremoniously stopped in his tracks wide on the left.

Adam Clayton stands over the free-kick and whips it in from the left, plenty of pace - but nobody can connect and it falls nicely into the Rochdale goalkeeper’s arms.

15:19Jonathon Taylor

A blow for Gibson

A possible broken nose for the Boro centre-back, who heads down the tunnel and won’t play any further part this afternoon.

He did give us a thumbs up as he made his way off the pitch, though.

A shame for him, mind. He’ll have wanted some more valuable game-time under his belt.

On comes Fry, on the scoresheet on Wednesday, and the door opens for him to stake his claim again.

15:16Jonathon Taylor

Looks like a busted nose for Gibbo

Gibson is now up, and the white Ramsdens label is covered in blood.

And his race is run. Dael Fry comes on to replace him!

15:13Jonathon Taylor

An aerial challenge

As big Ian Henderson makes a nuisance of himself and clatters Ben Gibson.

The Boro defender receives some treatment on the deck, as Dael Fry and George Friend head out to warm-up as a precaution.